Exercise device for infants



Nov. 24, 1959 J. s'i' ouo ETAL 2,914,326

EXERCISE DEVICE FOR INFANTS Filed Feb 21', 1958 INVENTORS JOHN l. STROUD AMY P. STROUD AGENT United States Patent EXERCISE DEVICE FOR INFANTS John I. Stroud and Amy P. Stroud, Pennsauken, NJ.

Application February 21, 1958, Serial No. 716,766

2 Claims. (Cl. 272-60) This invention relates to an educational exercise device and in particular a device which may be folded quickly and easily for transporting from one place to another. It has long been recognized that an infant in its early stages of development prior to the stage of walking requires a considerable amount of muscular development which can be obtained only by crawling and climbing.

In most instances the infant acquires this muscular development by crawling under or onto the furniture of the home. Since furniture ordinarily is not designed for such a purpose, this practice is dangerous because of the likelihood of falls from the furniture or because of top pling the furniture onto the infant. The device of this invention is designed to provide an outlet for the infants muscular development needs, both as to crawling and climbing, and in addition provide a means of developing the muscular coordination of the hands and fingers.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a device which will educate and develop a young childs muscles and at the same time provide him with a safe and interesting outlet for his energies.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a five-sided box with the bottom open, the box thus forming a low platform. Convenient dimensions for the box are 20" long by 16" wide and 6" high, which dimensions are by way of example only, since the size may be chosen to fit the needs of the particular child. The top of the box or platform is provided with two holes, one at each end adjacent to one of the long sides of the box. These holes are of a size such that one leg of each of two arches may be inserted into them, such arches being in perpendicular relationship to the back side of the box and each arch hinged to a back panel.

In order for a clearer understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled device;

Figure 2 is a view of the back panel with the arches in the folded position;

Figure 3 is a view of the box in the direction of its open bottom side;

Figure 4 is a top view of the back panel and arches showing the means of folding the arches;

Figure 5 is a view of the back panel with the arches in the folded position, as in Figure 2, and placed into the box which is shown from the bottom, as in Figure 3.

In these drawings like numbers refer to like parts in each of the various figures. Platform 1, as has been mentioned, is in the form of a five-sided box with the bottom side open. One leg of each of the arches 2 and 2a is inserted into the top of the box or platform 1 through holes 3 and 3a, respectively, and such legs are held by brackets 4 and 4a on the inside of the box or platform 1. The other legs of each of the arches 2 and 2a are hinged to a back panel 5, by means of hinges 7 and 7a, respectively. In the case of arch 2a, the hinge is aflixed through.

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a stringer 6 which is of a width equal to that of the arch 2, such that when the arches are folded as shown in Figures 2 and 4 they will fit parallel to the back panel 5. When the arches 2 and 2a are in the open position and inserted into the platform 1, the completed assembly will appear as in Figure 1.

The platform is of a safe height for the infants initial climbing ventures and the arches provide satisfaction for the infants desire to climb under and through objects. The height of the arches is planned so that as the infant reaches the toddling stage of muscular development he will be able to pull himself up to a standing position by holding onto the top of the arch.

The width of the box should be chosen so that it is slightly greater than the height of the arches, since when the arches are removed from the top of the platform 1 and folded against the back panel 5 with arch 2 against back panel 5 and arch 2a against arch 2, the entire assembly can 'be placed inside of the platform as shown in Figure 5. In order to retain the folded assembly within the box or platform 1, block 8 (see Figures 3 and 5) which is aflixed to the inside of the front side of the platform, is provided with a swinging catch 9 or similar means which in the upright position will hold the folded assembly in place, but which by merely turning may be removed from contact with panel 5 to permit removal of the assembly from the inside of the box. The back side of the box or platform 1, is provided with a handle 10 by means of brackets 11 attached to the back of the platform so that when the assembly is placed within the platform the entire device is conveniently portable.

In order to provide an outlet for the infants desire to poke his fingers into objects, the top of the platform and the back panel 5 may be provided with holes, numbers 13 and 14, respectively. These holes are of a size obviously such that the infant may easily put his fingers into the holes without danger of their being caught.

The device may be constructed of wood, metal or plastics. Plywood is particularly useful because of its light weight, strength and ease of working. Light weight metals such as aluminum also may be used with certain advantages, such as lack of splintering, ease of cleaning and the like. Laminated plastics provide additional advantages since they may be chosen for their bright colors and smooth surfaces.

We claim:

1. A portable educational exercise device including an elevated platform having a pair of openings at opposite ends and adjacent one edge thereof, a panel and a pair of substantially U-shaped arches, each arch having one leg hinged at opposite ends of said panel, the free legs of said arches being adaptable for insertion in said openings in a manner such that the arches will be fixedly secured substantially perpendicularly to the platform while at the same time holding the panel fixedly secured in spaced relation from the platform and in substantially parallel alignment to one edge of the platform.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the platform is arranged in the form of a five-sided box provided with interior means for retaining the panel with the U- shaped arches hinged thereagainst when not in use in a. manner such that the panel when inserted in the box will comprise substantially the sixth side thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

